GOP conservatives fighting themselves

The following letter highlights the on-going dispute between conservative Republican incumbents in the Texas House of Representatives. They are feuding over the next speaker of the House. Some want to replace Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, with someone considered more “conservative” than Straus.

We will add Rep. Leo Berman’s response – should he choose to reply to this scolding from Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville.

November 8, 2010

The Honorable Leo Berman

Texas House of Representatives

2109 Dover Lane

Tyler, Texas 75703

Dear Leo,

You have a strange way of campaigning in the Speaker’s race by attacking the very people whose support you are seeking. While I have a great deal of respect for your service to our nation and to our state, I don’t respect your name calling. I am disappointed in your vicious personal attacks against our Republican brothers and sisters.

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Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville

Not once in your “open letter” did you mention the fact that Republicans gained 22 seats in the Texas House last Tuesday. I would think that would be something you would be happy about. I know I am.

At a time of historic gains for conservatives, it would seem to me that you would want to focus your attention on conservatives working together to pass the issues important to you and to me instead of childish attacks which do nothing but empower liberals.

I will put my conservative credentials up against anybody’s, including yours. I find it ironic that you question members’ integrity at the same time you are asking them to go back on their word and revoke their pledge to Joe Straus. I didn’t go back on my pledge to Tom Craddick two years ago and I am not going to do so now with Joe Straus. I am a man of my word and my integrity means everything to me just as it should to a 22 year combat veteran.

On January 11th we’ll have the conservative votes needed to pass Voter ID and real immigration reform, but we must also focus on balancing the state’s budget without increasing taxes and passing a redistricting bill that will ensure that our victories last Tuesday are not short lived. The way to get those things done is for conservatives to work together. I believe that Joe Straus is focused on doing exactly that while you seemed focused on name calling and putting our caucus in the cross hairs of a circular firing squad.

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Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler

There is nothing wrong with having a spirited Speaker’s race, but we should conduct ourselves in a civil manner. You and I can disagree but we ought to be able to do so as statesmen.

As we approach this difficult session, I look forward to working with you and our other colleagues in addressing the real issues facing Texas.